Follow us on Google Discover With the WNBA set to have a new commissioner following the conclusion of the 2026 season, NBA boss Adam Silver has outlined the goal for the person coming in next.
Cathy Engelbert’s tenure as WNBA commissioner was not without criticism, but it’s hard to dispute that she has overseen the most explosive growth in the league’s history.
The W is now the fastest growing sports league in the country. And even though Engelbert has since announced she will leave, she ensured that the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) was agreed upon before doing so.
It is both a daunting and an exciting prospect for whichever person will replace her. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has outlined what their main focus will have to be.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesAdam Silver says new WNBA boss must help unify players with one another and with ownership
Although names like Nneka Ogwumike and Mark Tatum have been rumoured as the next commissioner, there is no concrete update on who it could be.
What Silver has spoken about, though, is what will be expected from the individual who takes up the massive responsibility.
“We’re at the stage of this league where understandably there was going to be some tension around collective bargaining,” the NBA commissioner said, as reported by Annie Costabile of The Athletic.
She was named MVP back in 2018 as well.
MVP STEWWWW 😎
Breanna Stewart was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup! She led @usabasketball to the championship with a dominant win over France, 97-79.
Stewie marked a 22 PT and 10 REB double-double along with 4 AST, in her fourth… pic.twitter.com/fIAtcMTwO4
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 13, 2026
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“Now that we have a long-term agreement in place, we need somebody who is going to help unify the players with the players and the players with ownership. I see that opportunity.”
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Silver also promised to oversee everything, adding, “Having been involved in the WNBA for 30 years, I think there are enormous benefits to running integrated operations. There are also aspects of the league which I think are best run independently.”
The NBA’s top executive has made it clear that the role will involve someone acting as a conduit between the players and the NBA as well as the ownership. All that is left to know is who will take up this challenge.
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